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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 19h

Or you could build a fully ZX81 compatible DIY kit if you still have a hankering to play 3D Monster Maze on real hardware.
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
The kit is also available from z80kits.com so you can pick one up when you're getting your RC2014 bits.
z80kits.com/shop/tynemou...

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 2d

Yes, they are all clocked on the rising edge.

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 2d

The numbers aren't exactly consistent, but two separate D-type flip flops is a 74, four with a common clock is a 175, six is a 174, and eight is a 273 (or 374 if you want /OE instead of /CLR, or a 574 if you want that and also want all the inputs on one side and the outputs on the other)

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 2d

There is no competition, has to be 3D Monster Maze.

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Reposted by Tynemouth Software

Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 4d

New blog post. Something a little different, a look at the wonderful 74HC74 (and 74LS74, 74HCT74 etc.) and some of the many and varied things you can do with it.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
It all started when I had this brilliant idea.......

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 3d

Another Minstrel 4th is born.

Jon Jones @jon-jones.bsky.social · 3d

Do mighty trees grow

Assembler Tynemouth Minstrel 4th computer on blue silicone soldering matt.

Photo of TV screen showing the power on screen of the Tynemouth Minstrel 4th. The on screen text text says: "ZX81 BASIC FOR MINSTREL 4TH V1.4"

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 4d

New blog post. Something a little different, a look at the wonderful 74HC74 (and 74LS74, 74HCT74 etc.) and some of the many and varied things you can do with it.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
It all started when I had this brilliant idea.......

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 5d

There's a glass and a half in every keyboard.

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Reposted by Tynemouth Software

Rod Hull @futurewas8bit.bsky.social · 8d

TFW8b's Hybrid SD2IEC & FASTLOAD Combo Cartridge is now available in a bunch of colours. 😎
www.tfw8b.com/product/sd2i...
#Commodore64 #C64 #RetroComputing #RetroGaming #8bit

SD2IEC & Fastload Hybrid Cart for the Commodore 64 - Load / Save PRG & D64 / Dxx images via Micro SD Card - https://www.tfw8b.com/product/sd2iec_fastload_hybrid/

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 9d

Your daily reminder that AI is dangerous nonsense and should not be trusted with even the simplest of tasks. I wish everyone would hurry up and release that, and stop wasting ridiculous amounts of money and energy on something that will never be fit for purpose.

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 9d

Hmmm, is AI telling you that the least significant digit of "2024" is a 2?

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Reposted by Tynemouth Software

Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 11d

New blog post in which I give myself a lot of work combining Z80 code from several sources to build the enhanced Forth ROM for the Minstrel 4th.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/09/revi...
An even more extra work by choosing to do it using an archaic assembler that I happen to like.

Revisiting the Minstrel 4th Enhanced Forth ROM [Patreon Preview]

When I relaunched the Minstrel 4th earlier this year, I added some more ROMs to the standard ROM image. These included the ZX80 and ZX81 BAS...

blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 11d

New blog post in which I give myself a lot of work combining Z80 code from several sources to build the enhanced Forth ROM for the Minstrel 4th.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/09/revi...
An even more extra work by choosing to do it using an archaic assembler that I happen to like.

Revisiting the Minstrel 4th Enhanced Forth ROM [Patreon Preview]

When I relaunched the Minstrel 4th earlier this year, I added some more ROMs to the standard ROM image. These included the ZX80 and ZX81 BAS...

blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 11d

Or add a VIC chip to a PET, or rewinding a bit, add a VIC chip to a C128. Who's going to notice one extra video chip in a C128?

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 13d

You mean the zed eighty?

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 13d

Does your C128 not do that?

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 13d

Oh, I know it's recent, I bought a tube of them last week from Digi Key. Just curious.

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 13d

Anyone know how to decode Texas Instruments date codes?

The one of the left is the standard old school 5th week 1980, but the ones on the right I don't understand. You might think 24 was a year, but I have seen all sorts of numbers there, so I don't think it is.

2022 4th month? or 2nd month 2024?

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 14d

To be fair, that disk drive is the size and weight of a small historic building.

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Reposted by Tynemouth Software

Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 17d

New blog post - What can you do to fix "?device not present error" on the Commodore PET, including an 8032 repair. blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/09/sd2p...
Warning: also includes awful screenshots and an analogy involving a Ford Cortina.

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Reposted by Tynemouth Software

Rod Hull @futurewas8bit.bsky.social · 17d

Yo! Quick catch up.. Blah blah.. I got brroken again. Still mostly broken, but hopefully on the mend. Anywho, that's why I've not been posting and TFW8b.com 'ing as much as usual.

#TOPTIP don't get old! And if you do, don't do all the things I did to knacker yourself on the way 😉

TFW8b.com – Yes it’s The Future was 8bit’s new website!

£59.99 – £92.99Price range: £59.99 through £92.99

TFW8b.com

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 17d

New blog post - What can you do to fix "?device not present error" on the Commodore PET, including an 8032 repair. blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/09/sd2p...
Warning: also includes awful screenshots and an analogy involving a Ford Cortina.

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 18d

I have very little knowledge on the subject, but I am told that York City are magic.

Reposted by Tynemouth Software

Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 25d

New blog post - a look at how things have changed since I first used microcontrollers in the early 1990s, and some of the new features they have managed to cram into the latest versions.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/09/new-...

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Tynemouth Software @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk · 24d

I talk about the AVR Curiosity Nanos in the blog post, the integrated programmer on those makes things a lot easier, and they are about £15, so cheap enough to integrate into a development board or small run project.
You can probably get clones for $1 from Ali Express, but I try to avoid that.

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